Evaluation of commotio retinae in orbital fractures / Avaliação com commotio retinae (Edema de Berlim) em fraturas orbitárias

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the mechanisms of injury and types of orbital fractures and their relation to concurrent commotio retinae. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the records of patients with orbital fractures whose diagnoses had been confirmed by computer tomography between July 2017 and September 2019. Patient demographics, the circumstances of injury, ophthalmic examination results, and radiological findings were tabulated. Statistical analysis of the data used two-tailed student's t-tests, chi-squared tests, and odds ratio calculations. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Of the 204 patients with orbital fractures included in this study, 154 (75.5%) were male. The mean age was 42.1 years. Orbital fractures involving one orbital wall (58.8%) were more common than those affecting multiple walls (41.2%). The majority of fractures affected the inferior wall (60.3%), with the medial walls being the next most frequently affected (19.6%). The most common cause of injury was assault (59.3%), and the second most common was falls (24%). Commotio retinae was observed in 20.1% of orbital fracture cases and was most associated with injuries caused by assault (OR=5.22, p<0.001) and least associated with those caused by falls (OR=0.06, p<0.001). Eye movement restrictions were more common in central than peripheral commotio (OR=3.79, p=0.015) and with medial wall fractures than fractures to other orbital walls (OR=7.16, p<0.001). The odds of commotio were not found to be higher in patients with multi-walled orbital fractures than in those with single-walled fractures (p=0.967). Conclusions: In the study population, assault was the most common cause of orbital fractures and resulted in commotio retinae than other causes. Ophthalmologists should be aware of the likelihood of commotio retinae in patients with orbital fractures resulting from assault, regardless of the extent of the patient's injuries.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo visou avaliar os mecanismos da lesão e os tipos de fraturas orbitárias e sua relação com commotio retinae simultânea. Métodos: Este estudo retrospectivo avaliou registros de pacientes com fraturas orbitárias cujos diagnósticos foram confirmados por tomografia computadorizada entre julho de 2017 e setembro de 2019. Foram registrados os dados demográficos, circunstâncias da lesão, os resultados do exame oftalmológico e achados radiológicos. A análise estatística dos dados usou os testes de t-Student bicaudal, qui-quadrado e cálculos de odds ratio. O significado estatístico foi fixada em p<0,05. Resultados: Dos 204 pacientes com fraturas orbitárias incluídos neste estudo, 154 (75,5%) eram sexo masculino (75,5%). A média de idade foi de 42,1 anos. As fraturas orbitárias envolvendo uma parede orbital (58,8%) foram mais comuns do que as que acometeram várias paredes (41,2%). A maioria das fraturas acometeu a parede inferior (60,3%), sendo as paredes mediais as próximas mais frequentemente afetadas (19,6%). A causda mais comum de lesão foi agressão (59,3%), e a segunda mais comum foi queda (24%). A commotio retinae foi observada em 20,1% dos casos de fratura orbital e foi mais associada a lesões causadas por agressão (OR=5,22, p<0,001) e menos associada com aquelas causadas por quedas (OR=0,06, p<0,001). As restrições de movimentos oculares eram mais comuns na comoção central do que na periférica (OR=3,79, p=0,015) e com fraturas da parede medial do que com fraturas de outras paredes orbitais (OR=7,16, p<0,001). As chances de comoção não foram maiores em pacientes com fraturas orbitais de paredes múltiplas do que naqueles com fraturas de parede simples (p=0,967). Conclusões: Na população do estudo, a agressão foi a causa mais comum de fraturas orbitais e resultou em commotio retinae mais grave do que qualquer outra causa. Os oftalmologistas devem estar cientes da probabilidade de commotio retinae em pacientes com fraturas orbitais resultantes de agressão, independentemente da extensão das lesões do paciente.

Evaluation of commotio retinae in orbital fractures.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the mechanisms of injury and types of orbital fractures and their relation to concurrent commotio retinae. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the records of patients with orbital fractures whose diagnoses had been confirmed by computer tomography between July 2017 and September 2019. Patient demographics, the circumstances of injury, ophthalmic examination results, and radiological findings were tabulated. Statistical analysis of the data used two-tailed student's t-tests, chi-squared tests, and odds ratio calculations. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Of the 204 patients with orbital fractures included in this study, 154 (75.5%) were male. The mean age was 42.1 years. Orbital fractures involving one orbital wall (58.8%) were more common than those affecting multiple walls (41.2%). The majority of fractures affected the inferior wall (60.3%), with the medial walls being the next most frequently affected (19.6%). The most common cause of injury was assault (59.3%), and the second most common was falls (24%). Commotio retinae was observed in 20.1% of orbital fracture cases and was most associated with injuries caused by assault (OR=5.22, p<0.001) and least associated with those caused by falls (OR=0.06, p<0.001). Eye movement restrictions were more common in central than peripheral commotio (OR=3.79, p=0.015) and with medial wall fractures than fractures to other orbital walls (OR=7.16, p<0.001). The odds of commotio were not found to be higher in patients with multi-walled orbital fractures than in those with single-walled fractures (p=0.967). CONCLUSIONS: In the study population, assault was the most common cause of orbital fractures and resulted in commotio retinae than other causes. Ophthalmologists should be aware of the likelihood of commotio retinae in patients with orbital fractures resulting from assault, regardless of the extent of the patient's injuries.

Factors Associated with Early Career Research Productivity after Ophthalmology Residency.

Background Few studies have evaluated associations between ophthalmology trainee characteristics and performance with postgraduate research productivity. Purpose This article evaluates factors associated with post-residency research productivity among U.S. ophthalmology graduates. Methods Publicly available information of residents graduating between 2009 and 2014 from 30 randomly selected U.S. ophthalmology programs was collected from June to September 2020. Differences in publications between the 5 years post-residency and pre-residency/residency period were used as metrics of productivity. Residents with incomplete records were excluded. Results A total of 758 of 768 residents, 306 females (40.4%) and 452 males (59.6%), met inclusion criteria. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) number of pre-residency publications was 1.7 (4.0), residency was 1.3 (2.2), and post-residency was 4.0 (7.3). Mean (SD) H-index was 4.2 (4.9). Top-ranked residency ( p = 0.001), Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) medical honor status ( p = 0.002), U.S. medical school graduates ( p < 0.001), and academic career ( p < 0.001) were all associated with higher pre-/post-residency mean publication difference. Pursuing fellowship training also was associated with higher total publications ( p < 0.001). Of all pre-residency degrees, PhD had the greatest odds of high postgraduate publications (defined as > 4). There was a positive correlation between both pre-residency/residency and post-residency publications (rho = 0.441; p < 0.001) and between mean difference of pre-residency/post-residency publications for residents at a program and that program's Doximity rank (rho = 0.497; p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed, academic career choice (odds ratio [OR] = 3.38; p < 0.001), Heed fellowship (OR = 3.12; p = 0.031), > 2 residency publications (OR = 2.89; p < 0.001), AOA status (OR = 2.0; p = 0.004), and top-ranked residency programs (OR = 1.89; p = 0.007), had greatest odds of > 4 postgraduation publications. Conclusion Higher post-residency productivity was associated with multiple factors, with choice of an academic career, Heed fellowship, and residency productivity playing key roles.

Central retinal artery occlusion associated with patent foramen ovale: a case report and literature review / Oclusão da artéria central da retina associada ao forame oval patente: relato de caso e revisão de literatura

ABSTRACT Patent foramen ovale might cause cryptogenic strokes, including retinal artery occlusion. Herein, we describe a previously healthy young man who presented with central retinal artery occlusion in the setting of patent foramen ovale and explore the need for transesophageal echocardiogram for its diagnosis. Cardiovascular workup and neuroimaging were unremarkable. Transthoracic echocardiogram bubble study revealed a right to left atrial shunt and subsequent transesophageal echocardiogram disclosed patent foramen ovale. This congenital cardiac anomaly was the likely conduit for a thrombo-embolic central retinal artery occlusion. We identified seven patients with patent foramen ovale associated with central retinal artery occlusion in the literature. Transthoracic echocardiogram was diagnostic in only one patient (14.3%), whereas transesophageal echocardiogram was required to reveal patent foramen ovale in the remaining six (85.7%). Our case and the previous reports support the link between central retinal artery occlusion and patent foramen ovale. Therefore, providers should consider the more sensitive transesophageal echocardiogram during the initial evaluation of young patients without immediately identifiable causes of retinal artery occlusion.

RESUMO O forame oval patente pode estar associado a derrames criptogênicos que incluem a oclusão da artéria retiniana. Descrevemos aqui um jovem previamente saudável que apresentou oclusão da artéria central da retina associada ao forame oval patente, sendo considerado portanto, a necessidade de um ecocardiograma transesofágico para seu diagnóstico. A avaliação cardiovascular e a neuroimagem não foram significativas. O estudo da bolha no ecocardiograma transtorácico revelou um shunt atrial direito-esquerdo e o ecocardiograma transesofágico subsequente revelou um forame oval patente. Esta anomalia cardíaca congênita foi o provável conduíte para uma oclusão tromboembólica da artéria central retiniana Na literatura, foram identificadossete pacientes com forame oval patente associado à oclusão da artéria central retiniana. O ecocardiograma transtorácico diagnosticou apenas um paciente (14,3%), enquanto o ecocardiograma transesofágico foi necessário para revelar o forame oval patente nos seis casos restantes (85,7%). Nosso caso e relatos anteriores suportam a ligação entre a oclusão da artéria central retiniana e o forame oval patente. Os profissionais devem considerar, como sendo mais sensível, o ecocardiograma transesofágico na avaliação inicial de pacientes jovens sem causas imediatamente identificáveis de oclusões da artéria retiniana.

Impact of Anxiety Levels and Sleep Patterns on Perceived Pain During Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injections.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of anxiety and sleep patterns on intravitreal injection pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, noninterventional study surveyed patients scheduled for intravitreal injection by two retinal surgeons. A standard intravitreal injection technique was used. Patients filled out pre-procedure General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires. Post-procedural pain was assessed with a visual analogue scale. Quality and hours of sleep and anxiety levels were correlated with perceived intravitreal injection pain. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean ± standard deviation scores were 4.9 ± 5.6 for the GAD-7, 6.3 ± 4.1 for the PSQI, and 3.69 ± 2.64 for intravitreal injection pain. Anxiety correlated with intravitreal injection pain (rho = 0.25; P = .003). Previous night's sleep (rho = -0.16; P = .057) and poor sleep quality (rho = 0.14; P = .11) were weakly correlated. Regression analysis revealed anxiety was the only significant predictor of intravitreal injection pain. A 1-point increase in anxiety predicted a 0.10-point increase in intravitreal injection pain (B = 0.10, P = .032). CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety level was the best predictor of perceived pain. This has implications for pre-procedural anxiety screening. [Ophthalmic Surgery Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:498-504.].

Central retinal artery occlusion associated with patent foramen ovale: a case report and literature review.

Patent foramen ovale might cause cryptogenic strokes, including retinal artery occlusion. Herein, we describe a previously healthy young man who presented with central retinal artery occlusion in the setting of patent foramen ovale and explore the need for transesophageal echocardiogram for its diagnosis. Cardiovascular workup and neuroimaging were unremarkable. Transthoracic echocardiogram bubble study revealed a right to left atrial shunt and subsequent transesophageal echocardiogram disclosed patent foramen ovale. This congenital cardiac anomaly was the likely conduit for a thrombo-embolic central retinal artery occlusion. We identified seven patients with patent foramen ovale associated with central retinal artery occlusion in the literature. Transthoracic echocardiogram was diagnostic in only one patient (14.3%), whereas transesophageal echocardiogram was required to reveal patent foramen ovale in the remaining six (85.7%). Our case and the previous reports support the link between central retinal artery occlusion and patent foramen ovale. Therefore, providers should consider the more sensitive transesophageal echocardiogram during the initial evaluation of young patients without immediately identifiable causes of retinal artery occlusion.

Social isolation and connection in adolescents with cancer and survivors of childhood cancer: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer may cause significant disruptions in normal adolescent development particularly in social domains. Both treatment and survivorship pose challenges to fostering social connections. To better understand these challenges, we conducted a systematic literature review of the experience of social isolation and connectedness in adolescents with cancer and adolescent survivors of childhood cancer. METHODS: A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted following PRISMA Guidelines. Eligible articles included original peer-reviewed research published in English between January 2000 and April 2020 that reported on social domains of patients and survivors of cancer between the ages of 10-21. Initial database search identified 4606 articles with 43 studies meeting inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Results were synthesized into four domains: (1) the prevalence of connectedness/isolation; (2) risk factors associated with social isolation; (3) protective factors against social isolation; (4) the impact of social isolation on psychological health. Overall, adolescent patients and survivors of cancer have satisfactory social connectedness. However, certain subgroups including those with central nervous system tumors are at higher risk of social isolation. CONCLUSIONS: In general, adolescent cancer patients and survivors report levels of social connectedness consistent with healthy adolescent population norms. The risk and protective factors identified in this review may help serve as important indicators for psychosocial screening and interventions. These findings are particularly relevant in the COVID-19 era as all adolescents face challenges to social connections and psychosocial development.

Acute Vitreous and Intraretinal Hemorrhage with Multifocal Subretinal Fluid in Juvenile X-Linked Retinoschisis.

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of spontaneous vitreous and intraretinal hemorrhage in a patient with juvenile X-linked retinoschisis which was managed conservatively. METHODS: Single patient case report. INTRODUCTION: Juvenile X-linked retinoschisis (JXLR) most often occurs as a result of a genetic defect in the retinoschisin (RS1) gene, causing a separation between the ganglion cell layer and the nerve fiber layer. Spontaneous vitreous hemorrhage has been reported as an uncommon secondary consequence of JXLR. We present a case of spontaneous vitreous and diffuse macular intraretinal hemorrhages in a patient with JXLR which resolved with medical management alone. RESULTS: A 23-year-old man with a history of juvenile X-linked retinoschisis presented to the ophthalmic emergency room complaining of acute onset of floaters in his right eye. On examination, the patient was found to have a new vitreous hemorrhage with diffuse intraretinal hemorrhages in his right eye, without new retinal tears or detachment. SD-OCT demonstrated multifocal pockets of subretinal fluid. The genetic testing panel revealed a hemizygous mutation in the RS-1 gene. He was managed conservatively on oral acetazolamide, with the resolution of the subretinal fluid and with both visual and symptomatic improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous vitreous hemorrhage may rarely occur in patients with JXLR, even in the absence of acute retinal tear or detachment. This case demonstrates an atypical presentation of vitreous hemorrhage with diffuse intraretinal hemorrhage and new multifocal areas of subretinal fluid which improved without surgical intervention. Good outcomes may be achieved in these patients with conservative management alone, even in atypical presentations.

Bilateral serous retinal detachments associated with burkitt lymphoma.

PURPOSE: To report a case of bilateral serous retinal detachments in a patient found to have burkitt lymphoma. OBSERVATIONS: A patient who presented with bilateral serous retinal detachments and "B" symptoms underwent extensive workup and was found to have burkitt lymphoma. Multiagent chemotherapy was initiated with resolution of the serous retinal detachments and visual recovery occurring in parallel to disease remission. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Burkitt lymphoma can present with serous retinal detachments and should be included in the differential for a patient with bilateral serous retinal detachments along with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome.

Pyrite footprinting of RNA.

In RNA, function follows form. Mapping the surface of RNA molecules with chemical and enzymatic probes has revealed invaluable information about structure and folding. Hydroxyl radicals ((·)OH) map the surface of nucleic acids by cutting the backbone where it is accessible to solvent. Recent studies showed that a microfluidic chip containing pyrite (FeS(2)) can produce sufficient (·)OH to footprint DNA. The 49-nt Diels-Alder RNA enzyme catalyzes the C-C bond formation between a diene and a dienophile. A crystal structure, molecular dynamics simulation and atomic mutagenesis studies suggest that nucleotides of an asymmetric bulge participate in the dynamic architecture of the ribozyme's active center. Of note is that residue U42 directly interacts with the product in the crystallized RNA/product complex. Here, we use powdered pyrite held in a commercially available cartridge to footprint the Diels-Alderase ribozyme with single nucleotide resolution. Residues C39 to U42 are more reactive to (·)OH than predicted by the solvent accessibility calculated from the crystal structure suggesting that this loop is dynamic in solution. The loop's flexibility may contribute to substrate recruitment and product release. Our implementation of pyrite-mediated (·)OH footprinting is a readily accessible approach to gleaning information about the architecture of small RNA molecules.